Restaurants

The gold- and pink-hued 12 Chairs Caviar Bar at SLS Dubai has finally opened its doors, located on the city’s impressive 71st floor. Following on from the success in Doha, the 12-seater bar offers a ‘one-of-a-kind’ champagne and caviar experience in Dubai. SLS Dubai;  +971 607 0737. @12chairsdubai

Hot on the tails of Beefbar, another Monaco export has opened in Jumeriah Al Naseem’s stylish Turtle Lagoon. Injecting some fun into Dubai’s thriving dining-cum-nightlife scene, MayaBay offers traditional Asian cuisine with a contemporary twist. The interiors are dressed in deep, evocative colours and the menu features dishes like caviar dim sum, wok-fried lobster and MayaBay beef tartare – all overseen by head Shane Macneill. Unlike many Pan-Asian restaurants, there’s also a fantastic vegetarian and vegan menu. Jumeirah Al Naseem; +971 4 275 2500; @mayabaydubai

Embracing the ever-growing trend for privacy and space, The Pods has opened on the enticing Bluewaters Island. Offering a unique and intimate way of dining, The Pods is comprised of 22 individual private pods of different sized, along with a separate indoor area seating up to 30 people. Pods are air conditioned and stylishly decorated with an abundance of greenery, plush seating and a large central table on top of fantastic views over city skyline. As for the food, the menu features the best of Pan-Asian cuisine such as black cod miso, Chinese dim sum and rendang beef curry. Bluewaters…

This new gastropub in DIFC has a menu from chef Enrico Paiola and promises charcuterie, slow-cooked ribs lathered in smoky barbecue sauce, croquettes and much more. For Time Out’s review click here. DIFC, reservations@thehiddenhog.com (04364 0126).

The popular burger joint is now open in Motor City Dubai, serving up its most popular dishes to burger and fried chicken fans. Serving up all the much-loved favourites including the Chicken Sando, loaded fries and, of course, burgers. Motor City, www.eatpickl.com.

This new Californian restaurant is housed at Andaz the Palm, and as well as having brunches and lively after-parties, it serves up a menu of west coast cuisine every night of the week. Expect salads including the LA Diet (quinoa, pomelo, butternut squash) and Green Goodness, as well as seafood platters, Dibba Bay oysters, a range of poke bowls as well as burgers, sliders, Baja fish tacos, pizzas and more. Plus there are super views over the Palm and beyond to check out while you dine. Open daily noon-midnight. Andaz Dubai the Palm, Palm Jumeirah (050 107 3766).

Avocado is without doubt one of the most popular fruits around. Whether on toast, smooshed as guacamole or topping a salad, we can’t get enough (and the 12.3m #avocado posts on Instagram suggest we’re not alone). If that sounds like a piece of you, it’s time to check out L’Avo in Dubai Media City. Dishes star avocado (natch), but have a Middle Eastern twist – think avo labneh dip, avo hummus and avo beetroot dip. Toasts get creative, while there’s also avo pasta, avo quinoa salad, sandwiches, wraps and even desserts. Open daily 8am-11pm. Dubai Media City @wearelavo (058 800 1354).

After popping up for more than a year across Dubai, fans of INKOGNITO were delighted to find out it has found a permanent home in Jumeirah at Wasl 51. While most burger joints only have one or two options for plant-based eaters, INKOGNITO has flipped the script, offering one burger for meat-eaters, three options for vegans, and one option for vegetarians. We can’t wait to try the vegan Korean-style not-chicken burger with a fried patty, wasabi peas, romaine and oak leaf lettuce, mixed herbs, onions, and vegan gochujang mayo on a vegan sourdough bun. It’s vegan, so it counts as…

Calling all herbivores; we have a new restaurant that you’re going to love. Featuring an upscale all-vegetarian menu and handcrafted mixed drinks, music, and views of the Dubai skyline, Epitome has finally landed in Dubai. Its opening follows a successful stint in Mumbai and it has brought all the veggie goodness with it. The menu is inspired by Indian, Japanese, Mexican, Thai, and Chinese cuisines with a wide variety of dishes that make the best of all things green. The interior is decorated with art deco style sculptures, hand-painted walls, and an indoor and outdoor terrace. In Mumbai the restaurant…